The Gospel

		*Crying In the Wilderness* *Web Ministry*
Home Reference Articles/Sermons		The Gospel Romans 15. So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. 16. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. I had begun to write on this earlier and realized that I’m so zealous about this subject and had written so many pages that I would probably lose some readers before the end. Keeping that in mind, I’ve shortened this thought to keep focus on the point. While we all agree that we should not be ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, I’m afraid that many do not know what the Gospel is! It is not everyone that goes behind the book-boards of our Churches that are Preachers (though they may claim the title) and likewise it is not all the delivered sermons that are Gospel. Let’s look at the English definition and origin of the word itself. Gospel -noun 1. the teachings of Jesus and the apostles; the Christian revelation. 2. the story of Chirst's life and teachings, esp. as contained in the first four books of the New Testament, namely Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. (usually initial capital letter) any of these four books 3. something regarded as true and implicitly believed: to take his report for gospel. 4. a doctrine regarded as of prime importance: political gospel. 5. glad tidings, esp. concerning salvation and the kingdom of God as announced to the world by Christ. 6. (often initial capital letter) Ecclesiastical. an extract from one of the four Gospels, forming part of the Eucharistic service in certain churches. 7. Gospel Music -adjective 8. of, pertaining to, or proclaiming the gospel or its teachings: a gospel preacher. 9. in accordance with the gospel: evangelical. 10. of or pertaining to gospel music: a gospel singer. Origin: bef.950; ME go(d)spell, OE godspell (see Good, Spell); trans. of Gk euangelion good news; see Evangel. While definitions 1;2;5 and 6 are somewhat correct, none of these definitions really nail down the true meaning of the word and therein lies some of our problem. There was a religious movement around the time of Christ and especially after His resurrection centered around a belief that man’s knowledge led to salvation. This belief or doctrine is shared with many other religions around the world and was dangerous then as it is now. This doctrine is called Gnosticism and comes from the Greek word “gnosis” meaning knowledge. I make this point to emphasize that just because we think we are wise in the ways of this world don’t make us wise in the ways of God. That is why the Apostle Paul so vividly made the point that our carnal minds are an enmity against God. The literal definition of the word Gospel comes from the Greek “euangelion” meaning good new and progressed through the English as godspell meaning good story or message. While the Gospel indeed is good news, a good story and a good message, it is far more than that. Paul says it best, “it is the power of God”. That’s why the words of mere mortals have not been able to clearly define this word whether in Greek, Latin, English or any other language. I’m also reminded of; 1 Corinthians 4:20 “For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.” So many today believe that their intellect and worldly knowledge will carry them great places within the service of our Lord and truly, we’ve allowed this to happen. If we rely too heavily upon our carnal understandings, we run the risk of leaning more to Gnosticism than to the Gospel. In the paragraph above I mention that the Gospel is more than good news. I will give an example. While I was at the hospital awaiting the birth of my second grandchild, I remember when they told me she had arrived. While this was wonderful news, it was not the Gospel. In the definition above, we read that man also considers the Gospel to be something that is true and implicitly believed. This of course is true but the Gospel is so much more than truth. A Preacher friend of mine used this example a while back. “If I told you Atlanta was the capital of Georgia, that would be true but it’s not the Gospel.” As I stated earlier, the Gospel is so much more. Let us see if we can now break it down and define it as much as mans’ and my feeble words will allow. It is the power of God unto salvation to them that believe. Since I’m a believer, to me, it’s simply the power of God. If you try to present to me something without power, i.e. essays, doctorates, thesis, poems, etc. don’t expect me to call it Gospel or even preaching. If the message lacks the seasoning of God’s Holy Spirit, don’t expect me to eat it! Paul in 1 Corinthians 2:4 explains how his “preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in the demonstration of the Spirit and power.” If the Gospel is preached, it will be delivered in the same manner ;( in the demonstration of the Spirit and power). In conclusion, we’ve established that all Gospel is truth but not all truth is Gospel. We’ve did the same with good news. While all Gospel is good news, not all good news is Gospel. Now to get to the heart of the matter as to why we allow something other than the Gospel in our pulpits, I believe the chief reason can be ascertained from the opening of this thought. We use our carnal minds and literal understanding to parse God’s Word into something more suitable for us. When the Gospel is truly preached, it will shed light on all that is wrong in our lives. It will illuminate those areas where we need to repent and guess what, we don’t like that. We had rather have pretty and smooth words that tell us how good we are and that we are right on track. When the true Gospel is preached, it will convict sinners. As the Psalmist said, Psalm 1:5 “Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.” When the Gospel is preached, the Church’s sins are illuminated, the Church repents, puts on Christ and His righteousness, and then the sinner can’t stand it. They have two choices, either get in or get out. It is through this Gospel that the Savior abolished death and brought life and immortality to light. Before we close, let us look at one more issue. I’ve often witnessed the fact-checkers while I’ve been up trying to make an effort. While I encourage the reading and study of God’s precious Word, you don’t need to fact-check the Gospel. If the preached Word is preached in the Spirit, you need not worry as the written Word will back up every jot and tittle. You may think you’ve found a discrepancy but I will tell you before hand that the discrepancy lays within your understanding. If God has seasoned the message with His Spirit, then the interpretation is of God and therefore it is the infallible truth! The key of course is the Word being preached in “His Spirit.” It don’t matter what grandpa, daddy or Aunt Susie thought it was; it is what God says it is! If you haven’t been born again the only way you’ll be able to tell is when the Spirit convicts you. If you have been born again you should have your senses exercised by reason of use so as to be able to discern when the Spirit arrives. In other words, you should live in a way pleasing unto God, and in fellowship and communion with Him. The Gospel must be preached in the Spirit! It will bring conviction, provide guidance, open your understanding, bring joy, bring hope, increase your faith and feed your soul. Never settle for anything less.

Crying In the Wilderness

Web Ministry

The Gospel

Romans

15. So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.

16. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

17. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

I had begun to write on this earlier and realized that I’m so zealous about this subject and had written so many pages that I would probably lose some readers before the end. Keeping that in mind, I’ve shortened this thought to keep focus on the point. While we all agree that we should not be ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, I’m afraid that many do not know what the Gospel is! It is not everyone that goes behind the book-boards of our Churches that are Preachers (though they may claim the title) and likewise it is not all the delivered sermons that are Gospel.

Let’s look at the English definition and origin of the word itself.

Gospel

-noun

1. the teachings of Jesus and the apostles; the Christian revelation.

2. the story of Chirst's life and teachings, esp. as contained in the first four books of the New Testament, namely Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. (usually initial capital letter) any of these four books

3. something regarded as true and implicitly believed: to take his report for gospel.

4. a doctrine regarded as of prime importance: political gospel.

5. glad tidings, esp. concerning salvation and the kingdom of God as announced to the world by Christ.

6. (often initial capital letter) Ecclesiastical. an extract from one of the four Gospels, forming part of the Eucharistic service in certain churches.

7. Gospel Music

-adjective

8. of, pertaining to, or proclaiming the gospel or its teachings: a gospel preacher.

9. in accordance with the gospel: evangelical.

10. of or pertaining to gospel music: a gospel singer.

Origin:

bef.950; ME go(d)spell, OE godspell (see Good, Spell); trans. of Gk euangelion good news; see Evangel.

While definitions 1;2;5 and 6 are somewhat correct, none of these definitions really nail down the true meaning of the word and therein lies some of our problem. There was a religious movement around the time of Christ and especially after His resurrection centered around a belief that man’s knowledge led to salvation. This belief or doctrine is shared with many other religions around the world and was dangerous then as it is now. This doctrine is called Gnosticism and comes from the Greek word “gnosis” meaning knowledge. I make this point to emphasize that just because we think we are wise in the ways of this world don’t make us wise in the ways of God. That is why the Apostle Paul so vividly made the point that our carnal minds are an enmity against God.

The literal definition of the word Gospel comes from the Greek “euangelion” meaning good new and progressed through the English as godspell meaning good story or message. While the Gospel indeed is good news, a good story and a good message, it is far more than that. Paul says it best, “it is the power of God”. That’s why the words of mere mortals have not been able to clearly define this word whether in Greek, Latin, English or any other language. I’m also reminded of; 1 Corinthians 4:20 “For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.” So many today believe that their intellect and worldly knowledge will carry them great places within the service of our Lord and truly, we’ve allowed this to happen. If we rely too heavily upon our carnal understandings, we run the risk of leaning more to Gnosticism than to the Gospel.

In the paragraph above I mention that the Gospel is more than good news. I will give an example. While I was at the hospital awaiting the birth of my second grandchild, I remember when they told me she had arrived. While this was wonderful news, it was not the Gospel. In the definition above, we read that man also considers the Gospel to be something that is true and implicitly believed. This of course is true but the Gospel is so much more than truth. A Preacher friend of mine used this example a while back. “If I told you Atlanta was the capital of Georgia, that would be true but it’s not the Gospel.” As I stated earlier, the Gospel is so much more.

Let us see if we can now break it down and define it as much as mans’ and my feeble words will allow. It is the power of God unto salvation to them that believe. Since I’m a believer, to me, it’s simply the power of God. If you try to present to me something without power, i.e. essays, doctorates, thesis, poems, etc. don’t expect me to call it Gospel or even preaching. If the message lacks the seasoning of God’s Holy Spirit, don’t expect me to eat it!

Paul in 1 Corinthians 2:4 explains how his “preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in the demonstration of the Spirit and power.” If the Gospel is preached, it will be delivered in the same manner ;( in the demonstration of the Spirit and power).

In conclusion, we’ve established that all Gospel is truth but not all truth is Gospel. We’ve did the same with good news. While all Gospel is good news, not all good news is Gospel. Now to get to the heart of the matter as to why we allow something other than the Gospel in our pulpits, I believe the chief reason can be ascertained from the opening of this thought.

We use our carnal minds and literal understanding to parse God’s Word into something more suitable for us. When the Gospel is truly preached, it will shed light on all that is wrong in our lives. It will illuminate those areas where we need to repent and guess what, we don’t like that. We had rather have pretty and smooth words that tell us how good we are and that we are right on track. When the true Gospel is preached, it will convict sinners. As the Psalmist said, Psalm 1:5 “Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.” When the Gospel is preached, the Church’s sins are illuminated, the Church repents, puts on Christ and His righteousness, and then the sinner can’t stand it. They have two choices, either get in or get out. It is through this Gospel that the Savior abolished death and brought life and immortality to light.

Before we close, let us look at one more issue. I’ve often witnessed the fact-checkers while I’ve been up trying to make an effort. While I encourage the reading and study of God’s precious Word, you don’t need to fact-check the Gospel. If the preached Word is preached in the Spirit, you need not worry as the written Word will back up every jot and tittle. You may think you’ve found a discrepancy but I will tell you before hand that the discrepancy lays within your understanding. If God has seasoned the message with His Spirit, then the interpretation is of God and therefore it is the infallible truth! The key of course is the Word being preached in “His Spirit.” It don’t matter what grandpa, daddy or Aunt Susie thought it was; it is what God says it is! If you haven’t been born again the only way you’ll be able to tell is when the Spirit convicts you. If you have been born again you should have your senses exercised by reason of use so as to be able to discern when the Spirit arrives. In other words, you should live in a way pleasing unto God, and in fellowship and communion with Him.

The Gospel must be preached in the Spirit! It will bring conviction, provide guidance, open your understanding, bring joy, bring hope, increase your faith and feed your soul. Never settle for anything less.